The King and His Ill

The King and His Ill

Once upon a time, there was a king who was very powerful and rich. But he was always unhappy, because he felt ill all time. No doctors knew how to cure him, not did any medicine do him good.

One day, he called all his wise men to his place and asked them what to do. ”There is only one way.” said a very old man.” If you can find a happy man, take his shirt and wear it, you will be soon cured.”

So, the king sent his men to search for all the happy men. They traveled all over the country, but they could not find one. There was nobody who was completely satisfied. If a man was rich and healthy, he had a bad wife. Everybody had something to complain of.

The men were very tired of their long search, and did not know when to go home. Just as they were worrying about that, they saw a poor workman who was singing merrily while he was at work.

”Are you happy?’’ they asked the man.”Yes, I am as happy as a lark, “answered the man.

”Give us your shirt, said the men.’’ We’ll give you as much many money as you need.’’

’’Alas!’’ cried the workman, ’’My shirt is dirty.’’